Block-molding machine



B. A. RICHARDS.

BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24. 1919.

1,355,619. Patented Oct. 12,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l. 2.6 w 26 B. A. RICHARDS.

BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24. 1919.

' Patented Oct. 12,1920,

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ark

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD A. RICHARDS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BLOCK-MOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed November 24, 1919. Serial No. 340,285.

jects to provide a machine of this character E which shall be readilyadjustable whereby {blocks of different sizes may be readily formed; toprovide a machine of large capacity, of compact form that is simple inconstruction and eas to operate; while further objects and a vantageswill appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown an illustrativeembodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation ofthe machine; Fig. 2 is a front end view thereof; Fig. 3 is a top planview of the part shown in Fig. l; and Flg. 4 is a detail perspectiveviewof the molds.

Describing the various parts by reference numerals, 1 indicates thesupporting cross frames which are spaced apart and connected together bythe side members 2. A series of rollers 3 are .journaled in suitablebearings in the side members 2 and support the movable rectangular frame4. The side plates5 are hinged as at 7 to the rectangular frame 4 andare held in upright positionby any suitable means as by the buttons 8which engage the arcuate cams 9 and bind the side plates and mold partstightly together.

Each of the side members is provided with a series of spaced grooves asindicated at 10 which receive partition plates 11 which determine thesize of the blocks to be formed, 7

and in this case I have shown the side plates grooved to form threesizes of blocks as for'example, eight, ten and twelve inch blocksalthough it is understood that any size or any number of sizes could bemade by simply spacing the grooves to the desired distances." The sides5 are each provided with a series of holes 12 so that the endSpecification of Letters Patent.

. and has threaded therein 23 when the Patented Oct. 12, 19.20.

core 13 maybe positioned centrally of each I size block and each-core isprovided with a stud bolt which projects through a hole 12 a nut 14 toclamp the core in position. The top of oneof the side plates 5,preferably that side on which the operator stands, is provided with aseries of" holes 18 in transverse alinement with each pair of groovesandthese holes are adapted to receive, removable pins 20,

the purpose of which will be explained later. ach mold is provided witha pallet 16 which rests on the rails 1717 extending from end to end onthe frame 4 and these rails are preferably so positioned, that a smallspace is left under each end of the pallet to insert the fingers forlifting the finished blocks from the molds.

The rectangular frame and mold are guided during. longitudinal movementbetween' the rollers 21 and 22 mounted in the brackets 24 which risefrom opposite points on the supporting cross. frames 1, the rollers 21bearing against the rectangular frame 4 and the rollers 22 against theside plates 5.- A suitable spring pressed stop lever 28 is mounted onthe top of a forward bracket so as to contact with a pin 20 and therebyaline each mold under the tamping and filling apparatus represented at25 and 26, re-' spectively. The frame 4 is provided on its under side,preferably along its longitudinal axis, with a rack 27 which has a gear28 carried by. the shaft 29 meshing therewith. The shaft 29 is journaledin suitable bearings in the side members 2 and on one end there issecured a ratchet wheel 30 while a lever 31 is loosely mounted on theshaft and is provided with a pawl 32 engageable with the ratchet wheelto rotate gear 28 and thereby advance the mold.

In operation the rectangular frame and molds are fed under the fillingapparatus 26 where they are filled with concrete and are advanced by thehand lever 31 until the first of the pins 20 engage the stop levertamping apparatus 25 is operated to tamp the first mold. When thetamping operation-is completed, the stop lever 23 is depressedand the.hand lever operated to bring the next mold into position for tampingwhich is indicated by the next pin 20 engaging stop lever 23. After acomplete set of molds are filled and tamped they may be slid onto asuitable conveyer (not shown) and carried thereby to a convenient placeand when itis desired to re.- move the blocks, the buttons 8 are loweredto allow the side plates 5 to drop which permits access to each mold andthe concrete blocks maybe easily removed by lifting each pallettherefrom,

Having thus described my I claim is:- V

1. In a molding machine, the combination of a supporting frame, arectangular frame adapted to slide in said supporting frame, sidemembers hinged to said rectangular frame, means for holdingsaid'members'upinvention, what right, a plurality of partition elementsarranged in adjustable relationshipbetween said members, and means foradvancing said rectangular frame step by step along said supportingframe. 7 Y

2. In amolding machine, the combination of a supporting frame, arectanglar frame adapted to slide in said supporting frame,

a pair of longitudinal rails mounted on said rectangular frameadapted toreceive a pallet, side members hinged to said rectangular frame, aplurality of partition elements 'arranged in adjustable relationshipbetween said members, and means for advancing saidrectangular frame stepby step along said supportingv frame.

3. In a moldlng machine, the combination of a supporting frame, arectangular frame adapted to slide'in said supporting frame,

side members hingedly connected to said rectangular frame, aplurality ofpartition elements arrangedbetween said members, and cores carried bysaid side members cen' trally of said partition elements, a rack mountedlongitudinally on said rectangular frame, a gear carried by saidsupporting framemeshing withsaid rack, and means for rotating said geartomove said rec-- tangular frame along said supporting frame. 4. In amolding machine, the combination of a plurality of transverse supportingele- ,ments, side elements connectingrsaid transverse elements inalinement, apair of brackets provided with a plurality of rollersarranged in opposed relationship on each of said transverse elements, arectangular frame provided with a plurality of molds, and means forsliding said frame and said molds between said rollers; V

5. In a molding machine, the combination of a supporting frame,a-rect'angular frame adapted to slide in said supporting frame,

said members hinged to said rectangular frame, means for holding saidmembers upright, a plurality of partitlon elements arranged between saidmembers, and means for advancing said rectangular frame step by stepalong said supporting frame.

6. In a molding machine, the combination of a supporting frame, arectangular frame adaptedto slide in said supporting frame, a pair oflongitudinal rails mounted on said rectangular frame adapted to receivea pallet, side members hinged to said rectangular .ship between saidmembers, end cores adjustable in said side members centrally of saidpartition elements, a rack mounted longitudinally on said rectangularframe, a

gear carried-by said'supportingframe mesh ing with said rack andmeansfor' rotating said gear to move said rectangular frame along saidsupporting frame;

8. In a molding machine, the combination of a guidingframe, amoldingfr'ame have. iing collapsible sides and partition elements heldin spaced relation by said sides, and

means for moving said molding frame along said guiding frame wherebysaid parts are held in operative position by said guiding frame.

plurality of cooperating stop members carried by said molding frame, andmeans for bringing each of said'lastmentionedmembers successively intoengagement with said $1 first mentioned member. v v

10. In a molding machine, the combination of a guiding frame, a moldingframe having a plurality of molds therein, a stop 9; In a moldingmachine, the combination 7 of a guiding. frame, a molding frame having'aplurality of molds therein, a stop member carried by .said guiding.frame, a

member carried by said guiding frame, a.

plurality of pins disposed along one side of said molding frame for.successive engagement. with said stop. member, and

means for moving said molding frame along said guiding frame. I r

11. In a moldingmachine, the combination of a guiding frame, amolding-frame having a plurality of'molds therein, a stop member carriedby said guiding frame, a

:removablepin corresponding toeach mold carried by said molding frame,and means for moving said molding frame along said guiding frame tobring the pins successively into engagement with said stop member andstop each mold in a predeterminedposition.

12. In a molding machine, the combination ofa guiding frame, a moldingframe molding 'frame along said guiding frame having a plurality ofmolds therein, a stop and means for disengaging one of said stop membercarried by said guiding frame, a members from the other. 10 second stopmember corresponding to each In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my 5mold carried by said molding frame, said signature.

second member being adapted to engage said first member upon movement ofsaid BERNARD A. RICHARDS.

